Principal Physical Design Engineer (RTL-to-GDSII)

Job Title

Principal Physical Design Engineer (RTL-to-GDSII)

Role Summary

Lead the RTL-to-GDSII physical implementation for high-performance SoCs at advanced process nodes (sub-5nm). Own full-flow execution, PPA optimization, methodology development, and cross-functional coordination to deliver tape-outs.

You will have autonomy to improve flows, influence architecture decisions early, and drive predictable, scalable silicon delivery.

Experience Level

Senior — 14+ years of physical design experience (experience with sub-5nm nodes preferred).

Responsibilities

Accountable for end-to-end physical design execution, methodology, and automation to achieve best-in-class power, performance, and area.

• Own implementation from synthesis through sign-off for large, high-speed blocks and SoCs using Cadence Digital Suite.
• Analyze and optimize interactions among library cells, metal stacks, and tool engines to maximize PPA.
• Build and refine scalable, push-button execution methodologies that minimize manual intervention.
• Collaborate with RTL, architecture, and DFT teams to influence design decisions early in the cycle.
• Identify execution bottlenecks (runtime, convergence, tool limits) and architect automated workarounds.

Requirements

Core technical skills, tooling expertise, and leadership expected for the role.

• 14+ years in physical design with a proven record of multiple sub-5nm tape-outs.
• Expert-level use of Cadence Innovus, Tempus, Joules, Pegasus, and Voltus.
• Deep understanding of sub-5nm physics (EUV constraints, multi-patterning), FinFET behavior, and IR/EM challenges.
• Expertise in Static Timing Analysis (STA), physical verification, power integrity, and ECO methodology.
• Proficiency in Tcl and Python for flow wrappers, automation, and PPA data mining.
• Proven ability to mentor teams and collaborate with front-end, foundry, and EDA vendors.
• Strong critical-thinking and first-principles problem-solving approach.

Education Requirements

Not specified.

About the Company

Company: EnCharge AI

EnCharge AI develops advanced AI hardware and software systems for edge-to-cloud computing, focusing on in-memory computing technology to deliver high compute efficiency and density with low power consumption. Founded in 2022, the company targets power-, energy-, and space-constrained applications with integrated hardware architectures and software stacks for scalable, reliable AI deployment.